Kenya's tea industry has regained access to the Sudanese market after Khartoum lifted a 20-month ban on Kenyan tea imports on November 8, 2026, through Ministerial Order No. 25 of 2026, signed by Sudan's Industry and Trade Minister Mahasin Ali Yaqoub.
The order, titled *Lifting of the Ban on Tea Imports from Kenya*, revokes the restriction and directs relevant authorities to implement the decision with immediate effect. It follows approval by Sudan's Sovereignty Council on November 2 and a subsequent Cabinet communication dated November 5.
Sudan imposed the restriction in March 2025 following a diplomatic dispute after Kenya hosted meetings involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting Sudan's army. Khartoum accused Nairobi of interfering in its internal affairs, leading to a suspension of imports from Kenya.
The ban disrupted a major export destination for Kenyan tea. Before the restrictions, Sudan purchased approximately 35 million kilogrammes annually, valued at about US$70 million (KSh9 billion), making it one of Kenya's significant overseas markets.
The restrictions also left exporters with substantial consignments that could not reach their intended buyers. More than US$24 million (KSh3.1 billion) worth of tea was reportedly in transit or awaiting shipment when the ban was introduced, while 207 forty-foot containers were stranded at the Port of Mombasa.
The East Africa Tea Trade Association previously reported that more than 3.44 million kilogrammes of tea valued at over US$10.3 million remained in Mombasa warehouses as of August 2026. Some consignments had been specially blended and packaged for Sudanese buyers, making them difficult to redirect to alternative markets.
The reopening is expected to give Kenyan exporters an opportunity to resume shipments and rebuild commercial relationships with Sudanese buyers. Increased orders could also support demand for tea produced by smallholder farmers and improve earnings across the value chain.
However, the ministerial order does not specify expected import volumes, the value of renewed orders or when commercial shipments will resume. The pace of recovery will depend on buyer demand, logistics and the restoration of trade arrangements.
